N-acylaminoacetonitrile derivatives and their use for controlling parasites

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to compounds of the general formula 
                         
in which R 1 , R 2, R   3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , W, X, A 1 , A 2 , a, b and c are as defined in the specification, and to any enantiomers thereof. The active ingredients have advantageous pesticidal properties. They are particularly suitable for controlling parasites in warm-blooded animals.

This application is a National Phase Application under § 371 of International Application Number PCT/EP03/05334 filed on May 21, 2003.

The present invention relates to novel amidoacetonitrile compounds of the formula

in which

-   A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono-     or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂,     independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting     of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl,     C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy,     C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, 2-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino,     di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo     C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and     di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted phenylamino; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted phenylcarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted phenylmethoxyimino; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted phenylhydroxymethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted 1-phenyl-1-hydroxyethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted phenylchloromethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted phenylcyanomethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenoxy; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylacetylenyl;     and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which     the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and     are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano,     C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy,     C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio,     C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino,     di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; or -   unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded     via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can     be independent of one another and are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl,     C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl,     C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy,     C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy,     halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio,     C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy,     C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsufonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino,     di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; -   A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl,     s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl,     imidazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl,     oxadiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, indolyl,     indazolyl or quinolyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in     which the substituents in each case, independently of one another,     are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano,     C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy,     C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₆cycloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy,     C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl,     C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino,     C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; -   R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl allyl or     C₁-C₆alkoxymethyl; -   R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are either, independently of one another,     hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     C₁-C₆alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₂-C₆alkenyl,     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₂-C₆alkynyl,     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₆alkoxy, in which the     substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are     chosen from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆alkoxy and     halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one     another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen and     C₁-C₆alkyl; or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl, in     which the substituents can be independent of one another and are     chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano,     C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy,     C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo     C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino and di-C₁-C₆alkylamino; -   or R₂ and R₃ are jointly C₂-C₆alkylene; -   W is O, S, S(O)₂ or N(R₇); -   X is O, S or N(R₇); -   R₇ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; -   a is 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   b is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; and -   c is 0 or 1;     if desired to diastereoisomers, E/Z isomers, mixtures of E/Z isomers     and/or tautomers, in each case in the free form or in the salt form,     to their preparation and use in the control of endo- and     ectoparasites, especially helminths, in and on warm-blooded animals,     especially productive livestock and domestic animals, as well as on     plants, and also to pesticides which comprise at least one of these     compounds.

Substituted amidoacetonitrile compounds with pesticidal action are disclosed in EP-0 953 565 A2, for example. The active ingredients specifically revealed therein may not, however, always meet the requirements concerning strength and activity spectrum. There consequently exists a need for active ingredients with improved pesticidal properties. It has now been found that the amidoacetonitrile compounds of the formula I have outstanding pesticidal properties, in particular against endo- and ectoparasites in and on warm-blooded animals and plants.

Alkyl—as group per so and as structural component of other groups and compounds, for example of haloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl and alkylsulfonyl,—is, in each case giving due consideration to the number of carbon atoms which the relevant group or compound has in each individual case, either straight-chain, i.e. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or hexyl, or branched, e.g. isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, neopentyl or isohexyl.

Alkenyl—as group per se and as structural component of other groups and compounds—is, in each case giving due consideration to the number of carbon atoms and conjugated or isolated double bonds which the relevant group or compound has in each individual case, either straight-chain, e.g. allyl, 2-butenyl, 3-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl or 1,3-hexadienyl, or branched, e.g. isopropenyl, isobutenyl, isoprenyl, tert-pentenyl or isohexenyl.

Alkynyl—as group per se and as structural component of other groups and compounds—is, in each case giving due consideration to the number of carbon atoms and conjugated or isolated double bonds which the relevant group or compound has in each individual case, either straight-chain, e.g. propargyl, 2-butynyl, 3-pentynyl, 1-hexynyl, 1-heptynyl or 3-hexen-1-ynyl, or branched, e.g. 3-methylbut-1-ynyl, 4-ethylpent-1-ynyl or 4-methylhex-2-ynyl.

Cycloalkyl—as group per se and as structural component of other groups and compounds, for example of halocycloalkyl, cycloalkoxy or cycloalkylthio,—is, in each case giving due consideration to the number of carbon atoms which the relevant group or compound has in each individual case, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

Aryl is phenyl or naphthyl.

Hetaryl is pyridyl, pyridyl, s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl or quinolyl.

Halogen—as group per se and as structural component of other groups and compounds, such as of haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkylthio, haloalkylsulfinyl and haloalkylsulfonyl,—is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, in particular fluorine, chlorine or bromine, especially fluorine or chlorine.

Halogen-substituted carbon-comprising groups and compounds, such as haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkylthio, haloalkylsulfinyl and haloalkylsulfonyl, can be partially halogenated or perhalogenated, it being possible, in the case of polyhalogenation, for the halogen substituents to be identical or different. Examples of haloalkyl—as group per se and as structural component of other groups and compounds, such as of haloalkoxy or haloalkylthio,—are methyl substituted up to three times by fluorine, chlorine and (or bromine, such as CHF₂ or CF₃; ethyl substituted up to five times by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CH₂CF₃, CF₂CF₃, CF₂CCl₃, CF₂CHCl₂, CF₂CHF₂, CF₂CFCl₂, CF₂CHBr₂, CF₂CHClF, CF₂CHBrF or CClFCHClF; propyl or isopropyl substituted up to seven times by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CH₂CHBrCH₂Br, CF₂CHFCF₃, CH₂CF₂CF₃ or CH(CF₃)₂; butyl or one of its isomers substituted up to nine times by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CF(CF₃)CHFCF₃ or CH₂(CF₂₎ ₂CF₃; pentyl or one of its isomers substituted up to eleven times by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as CF(CF₃)(CHF)₂CF₃ or CH₂(CF₂)₃CF₃; and hexyl or one of its isomers substituted up to thirteen times by fluorine, chlorine and/or bromine, such as (CH₂)₄CHBrCH₂Br, CF₂(CHF)₄CF₃, CH₂(CF₂)₄CF₃ or C(CF₃)₂(CHF)₂CF₃.

Alkoxy groups preferably have a chain length of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. For example, alkoxy is methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy and tert-butoxy, and also the pentyloxy and hexyloxy isomers; preferably methoxy and ethoxy. Haloalkoxy groups preferably have a chain length of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Haloalkoxy is, e.g., fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy and 2,2,2-trichloroethoxy; preferably difluoromethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy and trifluoromethoxy.

Preferred embodiments within the context of the invention are:

-   (1) a compound of the formula I, in which A₁ and A₂ are,     independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂,     independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting     of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy,     halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio,     C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino,     di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenylamino; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenylcarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl;     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; and unsubstituted     or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the substituents in     each case can be independent of one another and are chosen from the     group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio,     C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C     1-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino,     C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl;     or -   unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded     via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can     be independent of one another and are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl,     C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy,     C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl; -   particularly, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono-     or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂,     independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting     of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; and     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the     substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are     chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano,     C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy,     C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-C₅cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino,     C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio,     C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; or -   unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded     via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can     be independent of one another and are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl,     C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-C₅cycloalkyloxy,     C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino,     C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; -   very particularly, independently of one another, unsubstituted or     mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and     A₂, independently of one another, are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl,     C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl, and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenyl, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of     one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen,     nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl, C₃-C₄cycloalkyloxy,     C₃-C₄cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₄cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino, di-C₁-C₂alkylamino,     C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl; -   (2) a compound of the formula I, in which A₃ is unsubstituted or     mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl, s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl,     thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl,     triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl or oxadiazolyl which is bonded via     a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case,     independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting     of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsufonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; -   particularly unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl,     s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl or pyrrolyl which is     bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each     case, independently of one another, are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl,     C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₅alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino,     C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; -   very particularly unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted thienyl     or furanyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the     substituents in each case, independently of one another, are chosen     from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl,     halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl,     C₁-C₂alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino,     di-C₁-C₂alkylamino, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and     C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl; -   (3) a compound of the formula I, in which R₁ is hydrogen,     C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkoxymethyl; -   particularly hydrogen, C₁-C₂alkyl or halo-C₁-C₂alkyl; -   very particularly hydrogen or C₁-C₂alkyl; -   (4) a compound of the formula I, in which R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are,     independently of one another, hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or     mono- or polysubstituted C₃-C₄alkyl, in which the substituents can     be independent of one another and are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen and C₁-C₄alkoxy; C₃-C₅cycloalkyl or     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl, in which the     substituents can be independent of one another and are chosen from     the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl,     C₁-C₄alkoxy and halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy; -   particularly, independently of one another, hydrogen, unsubstituted     or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl, in which the substituents     can be independent of one another and are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen and C₁-C₂alkoxy; or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl; -   very particularly, independently of one another, hydrogen,     C₁-C₂alkyl or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl; -   (5) a compound of the formula I, in which W is O or S; -   particularly O; -   (6) a compound of the formula I, in which X is O or S; -   particularly O; -   (7) a compound of the formula I, in which a is 1, 2 or 3; -   particularly 1 or 2; -   very particularly 1: -   (8) a compound of the formula I, in which b is 0, 1 or 2; -   particularly 0 or 1; -   very particularly 0; -   (9) a compound of the formula I, in which c is 0; -   (10) a compound of the formula I, in which A₁ and A₂ are,     independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂,     independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting     of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy,     halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy. C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio,     C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino,     di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenylamino; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenylcarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl;     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; and unsubstituted     or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the substituents in     each case can be independent of one another and are chosen from the     group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₆cycloalkyl,     C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio,     C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino,     C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl;     or -   unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded     via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can     be independent of one another and are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl,     C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy,     C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl; -   A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl,     s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl,     imidazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl or     oxadiazolyl, which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the     substituents in each case, independently of one another, are chosen     from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl,     C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl,     halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino,     C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl,     C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; -   R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkoxymethyl; -   R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen,     halogen, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl, in     which the substituents can be independent of one another and are     chosen from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₄alkoxy;     C₃-C₅cycloalkyl or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl,     in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are     chosen from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄alkyl,     halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy and halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy; -   W is O or S; -   X is O or S; -   a is 1, 2 or 3; -   b is 0, 1 or 2; and -   c is 0; -   (11) a compound of the formula I, in which A₁ and A₂ are,     independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂,     independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting     of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy, and     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the     substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are     chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano,     C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy,     C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-C₅cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino,     C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio,     C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl,     halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; or -   unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded     via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can     be independent of one another and are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl,     Ct-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-5cycloalkyloxy,     C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino,     C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; -   A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl,     s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl or pyrrolyl which is     bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each     case, independently of one another, are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl,     C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₅alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino,     C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; -   R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₂alkyl or halo-C₁-C₂alkyl; -   R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen,     unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl, in which the     substituents can be independent of one another and are chosen from     the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₂alkoxy; or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl; -   W and X are O; -   a is 1 or 2; -   b is 0 or 1; and -   c is 0; -   (12) a compound of the formula I, in which A₁ and A₂ are,     independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or     polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂,     independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting     of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl. C₁-C₄alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl,     C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted     phenyl, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of     one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen,     nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy,     halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl, C₃-C₄cycloalkyloxy,     C₃-C₄cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₄cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino, di-C₁-C₂alkylamino,     C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl; -   A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted thienyl or furanyl     which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in     each case, independently of one another, are chosen from the group     consisting of halogen, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl,     C₁-C₂alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkylthio,     halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino, di-C₁-C₂alkylamino,     C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl; -   R₁ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂alkyl; -   R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen,     C₁-C₂alkyl or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl; -   W and X are O; -   a is 1; and -   b and c are 0.

The compounds of the formula I listed in Table 1 are particularly preferred within the context of the invention and the compounds of the formula I mentioned in the synthetic examples are very particularly preferred.

A further subject-matter of the invention is the process for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, e.g. which comprises a) for the preparation of a compound of the formula I in which c is 1, the reaction of a compound of the formula

which is known or can be prepared by analogy to relevant known compounds and in which R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, W, X, A₂, A₃, a and b are as defined in the formula I and c is 1, with a compound of the formula

which is known or can be prepared by analogy to relevant known compounds and in which A₁ is as defined in the formula I and Q is a leaving group, if desired in the presence of a basic catalyst, or

-   b) for the preparation of a compound of the formula I in which c is     0, the reaction of a compound of the formula

which is known or can be prepared by analogy to relevant known compounds and in which R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, W, A₂, a and b are as defined in the formula I and Q₁ is a leaving group, with a compound of the formula III, which is known or can be prepared by analogy to relevant known compounds and in which A₁ is as defined in the formula I and Q is a leaving group, if desired in the presence of a basic catalyst, and the reaction of the intermediate produced in this way

with a compound of the formula Q₂-A₃  VI which is known or can be prepared by analogy to relevant known compounds and in which A₃ is as defined in the formula I and O₂ is a leaving group, if desired in the presence of a metal catalyst, and in each case, if desired, the conversion of a compound of the formula I obtainable according to the process or in another way, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, to another compound of the formula I, the separation of a mixture of isomers obtainable according to the process and the isolation of the desired isomer and/or the conversion of a free compound of the formula I obtainable according to the process to a salt or the conversion of a salt of a compound of the formula I obtainable according to the process to the free compound of the formula I or to another salt.

That which has been said above for salts of compounds I applies analogously to starting materials mentioned hereinabove and hereinafter with regard to the salts thereof.

The reactants can be reacted with one another as such, i.e. without addition of a solvent or diluent, e.g. in the molten form. For the most part, however, it is advantageous to add an inert solvent or diluent or a mixture thereof. Mention may be made, as examples of such solvents or diluents, of: aromatic, aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, tetralin, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, bromobenzene, petroleum ether, hexane, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethene or tetrachloroethene; ethers, such as diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dibutyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, dimethoxydiethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or dioxane; ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone or methyl isobutyl ketone; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-methylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoramide; nitriles, such as acetonitrile or propionitrile; and sulfoxides, such as dimethyl sulfoxide.

Preferred leaving groups Q are halogens, tosylates, mesylates and triflates, particularly preferably halogens, especially chlorine.

Preferred leaving groups Q₁ are halogens, especially bromine.

Preferred leaving groups Q₂ are boric adds.

Suitable bases for facilitating the reaction are, e.g., alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides, hydrides, amides, alkoxides, acetates, carbonates, dialkylamides or alkylsilylamides, alkylamines, alkylenediamines, if desired N-alkylated and saturated or unsaturated, cycloalkylamines, basic heterocycles, ammonium hydroxides and carbocyclic amines. Mention may be made, by way of examples, of sodium hydroxide, sodium hydride, sodamide, sodium methoxide, sodium acetate, sodium carbonate, potassium t-butoxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium hydride, lithium diisopropylamide, potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, calcium hydride, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, triethylenediamine, cyclohexylamine, N-cyclohexyl-N,N-dimethylamine, N,N-diethylaniline, pyridine, 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine, quinuclidine, N-methylmorpholine, benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide and 1,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-5-ene (DBU). Diisopropylethylamine and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine are preferred.

Preferred metal catalysts are palladium complexes, particularly preferably tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium.

The reaction is advantageously carried out at a temperature from approximately 0° C., to approximately +100° C., preferably from approximately 10° C. to approximately +40° C.

A further subject-matter of the invention is the process for the preparation of the compounds of the formulae II and IV, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, e.g. which comprises the reaction of a compound of the formula

which are known or can be prepared by analogy to relevant known compounds and in which R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, W, X, A₂, A₃, a, b and c are as defined in the formula I and Q1 is a leaving group, with an inorganic or organic cyanide and a compound of the formula R₁—NH₂, which is known or can be prepared by analogy to relevant known compounds and in which R₁ is as defined in the formula I, and in each case, if desired, the conversion of a compound of the formula II, respectively IV, obtainable according to the process or in another way, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, to another compound of the formula II, respectively IV, the separation of a mixture of isomers obtainable according to the process and the isolation of the desired isomer and/or the conversion of a free compound of the formula II, respectively IV, obtainable according to the process to a salt or the conversion of a salt of a compound of the formula II, respectively IV, obtainable according to the process to the free compound of the formula II, respectively IV, or to another salt.

Suitable cyanides are sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, trimethylsilyl cyanide and acetone cyanohydrin.

The general method for the reaction of carbonyl compounds, for example of the formula IV, with cyanides and amines, for example of the formula R₆—NH₂, is known as a Strecker reaction, for example in Organic Synthesis Coll. Vol. 3, 88 (1973).

Salts of compounds I can be prepared in a way known per se. Thus, for example, acid addition salts of compound I are obtained by treatment with a suitable acid or a suitable ion-exchange reagent and salts with bases are obtained by treatment with a suitable base or a suitable ion-exchange reagent.

Salts of compounds I can be converted in the usual way to the free compounds I, acid addition salts, e.g. by treatment with a suitable basic agent or a suitable ion exchange reagent, and salts with bases, e.g. by treatment with a suitable acid or a suitable ion-exchange reagent.

Salts of compounds I can be converted in a way known per se to other salts of compounds I, acid addition salts for example to other acid addition salts, e.g. by treatment of a salt of an inorganic acid, such as a hydrochloride, with a suitable metal salt, such as a sodium, barium or silver salt, of an acid, e.g. with silver acetate, in a suitable solvent, in which an inorganic salt, e.g. silver chloride, being formed is insoluble and for this reason precipitates from the reaction mixture.

According to the method or reaction conditions, the compounds I with salt-forming properties can be obtained in the free form or in the form of salts.

The compounds I can also be obtained in the form of their hydrates and/or can incorporate other solvents, which might, for example, be used in the crystallization of compounds existing in the solid form.

The compounds I can exist if desired as optical and/or geometrical isomers or mixtures thereof. The invention relates both to the pure isomers and to all possible mixtures of isomers and is to be correspondingly understood in each case heretofore and hereinafter, even if stereochemical details are not specifically referred to in every case.

Mixtures of diastereoisomers of compounds I obtainable according to the process or otherwise obtainable can be separated in a known way into the pure diastereoisomers on the basis of the physicochemical differences of the components, for example by fractional crystallization, distillation and/or chromatography.

Correspondingly obtainable mixtures of enantiomers can be resolved into the pure isomers by known methods, for example by recrystallization from an optically active solvent, by chromatography on chiral adsorbents, e.g. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on acetylcellulose, with the help of suitable microorganisms, by cleavage with specific immobilized enzymes, via the formation of inclusion complexes, e.g. by using chiral crown ethers, in which only one enantiomer is complexed.

In addition to through separation of the corresponding mixtures of isomers, pure diastereoisomers or enantiomers according to the invention can also be obtained through generally known methods of diastereoselective or enantioselective synthesis, e.g. by carrying out the process according to the invention with educts with correspondingly suitable stereochemistry.

Advantageously, the biologically most effective isomer, e.g. enantiomer, is isolated or synthesized each time, provided that the individual components have different biological activity.

In the process of the present invention, use is preferably made of such starting materials and intermediates which result in the compounds I described at the beginning as particularly valuable.

The invention relates in particular to the preparation process described in the examples.

Starting materials and intermediates used according to the invention for the preparation of the compounds I which are novel, their use and processes for their preparation likewise form a subject-matter of the invention.

The compounds I according to the invention are characterized by a particularly broad activity spectrum and are valuable active ingredients in the field of pest control which are well tolerated by warm-blooded species, fish and plants, including for the control of endo- and ectoparasites, especially helminths, in and on warm-blooded animals, especially productive livestock and domestic animals, as well as on plants.

In the context of the present invention, the term “ectoparasites” is understood to mean, in particular, insects, mites and ticks. This includes insects of the orders: Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Heteroptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, Orthoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, Mallophaga, Thysanura, Isoptera, Psocoptera and Hymenoptera. However, reference may in particular be made to ectoparasites which are a nuisance to man or animals and which transmit pathogens, for example flies, such as Musca domestica, Musca vetustissima, Musca autumnalis, Fannia canicularis, Sarcophaga camaria, Lucilia cuprina, Hypoderma bovis, Hypoderma lineatum, Chrysomyia chloropyga, Dermatobia hominis, Cochliomyia hominivorax, Gasterophilus intestinalis, Oestrus ovis, Stomoxys calcitrans, Haematobia irritans, and mosquitoes (Nematocera), such as Culicidae, Simuliidae, Psychodidae, but also bloodsucking parasites, for example fleas, such as Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis (cat and dog fleas), Xenopsyila cheopis, Pulex irritans, Dermatophilus penetrans, lice, such as Damalina ovis, Pediculus humanis, stable flies and horseflies (Tabanidae), Haematopota spp., such as Haematopota pluvialis, Tabanidea spp., such as Tabanus nigrovittatus, Chrysopsinae spp., such as Chrysops caecutiens, tsetse flies, such as Glossinia species, biting insects, in particular cockroaches, such as Blatella germanica, Blatta orientalls, Periplaneta americana, mites, such as Dermanyssus gallinae, Sarcoptes scabiei, Psoroptes ovis and Psorergates spp., and last but not least ticks. The latter belong to the order Acarina. Known representatives of ticks are, e.g., Boophilus, Amblyomma, Anocentor, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, Rhipicentor, Margaropus, Rhipicephalus, Argas, Otobius and Omithodoros and the like, which preferably infest warm-blooded animals, including farm animals, such as cows, pigs, sheep and goats, poultry, such as chickens, turkeys and geese, fur-bearing animals, such as mink, foxes, chinchillas, rabbits and the like, and pets, such as cats and dogs, but also man.

The compounds I according to the invention are also effective against all or individual development stages of normally sensitive but also of resistant animal pests, such as insects and representatives of the order Acarina. The insecticidal, ovicidal and/or acaricidal action of the active ingredients according to the invention may in the process be displayed directly, i.e. in killing the pests, immediately or only after some time, for example during moulting, or their eggs, or indirectly, e.g. in reduced egg laying and/or in a reduced hatching rate, in which the good action corresponds to a kill rate (mortality) of at least 50 to 60%.

The compounds I can also be used against hygiene pests, in particular of the order Diptera with the families Sarcophagidae, Anophilidae and Cullidae; of the orders Orthoptera, Dictyoptera (e.g. the family Blattidae) and Hymenoptera(e.g. the family Formicidae).

The compounds I also have lasting activity in the case of phytoparasitic mites and insects. In the case of spider mites of the order Acarina, they are active against eggs, nymphs and adults of Tetranychidae (Tetranychus spp. and Panonychus spp.).

They are highly active in the case of the sucking insects of the order Homoptera, in particular against pests of the families Aphididae, Delphacidae, Cicadellidae, Psyllidae, Loccidae, Diaspididae and Eriophydidae (e.g. citrus rust mite); of the orders Hemiptera, Heteroptera and Thysanoptera, and in the case of the phytophagous insects of the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Orthoptera.

They are also suitable as soil insecticides against pests in the soil.

The compounds of the formula I are accordingly active against all development stages of sucking and feeding insects on crops such as cereals, cotton, rice, maize, soya beans, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, tobacco, hops, citrus fruit, avocados and others.

The compounds of the formula I are also active against plant nematodes of the genera Meloldogyne, Heterodera, Pratylenchus, Ditylenchus, Radopholus, Rizoglyphus and others.

The compounds are particularly active against helminths, among which the endoparasitic nematodes and trematodes can be the cause of serious diseases in mammals and poultry. e.g. in sheep, pigs, goats, cattle, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, guinea pigs and ornament birds. Typical nematodes of this indication are: Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia, Nematodirus, Cooperia, Ascaris, Bunostonum, Oesophagostonum, Chabertia, Trichuris, Strongylus, Trichonema, Dictyocaulus, Capiliaria, Heterakis, Toxocara, Ascaridla, Oxyuris, Ancylostoma, Uncinaria, Toxascaris and Parascaris. Mention may specifically be made, among the trematodes, of the family of the Fasciolideae, in particular Fasciola hepatica. It could also be shown, surprisingly and unexpectedly, that the compounds of the formula I have extraordinarily high activity against nematodes, which are resistant to many active substances. This can be demonstrated in vitro through the LDA test and in vivo, for example, in Mongolian gerbils and sheep. It could be shown that amounts of active substance which kill sensitive strains of Haemonchus contortus or Trichostrongylus colubriformis are also sufficiently active to control corresponding strains which are resistant to benzimidazoles, levamisole and macrocyclic lactones (such as, for example, ivermectin).

Certain species of the genera Nematodirus, Cooperia and Oesophagostonum attack the intestinal tract of the host animal, while others of the genera Haemonchus and Ostertagia parasitize in the stomach and others of the genus Dictyocaulus parasitize in lung tissue. Parasites of the families Filariidae and Setariidae are found in internal cell tissue and in organs, e.g. the heart, blood vessels, lymph vessels and subcutaneous tissue. Mention may particularly be made here of the dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis. The compounds of the formula I are highly effective against these parasites.

The pests which can be controlled with the compounds of the formula I also include, from the class Cestoda (tapeworms), the families Mesocestoidae, in particular the genus Mesocestoides, especially M. lineatus; Dilepididae, in particular Dipylidium caninum, Joyeuxiella spp., especially Joyeuxiella pasquali, and Diplopylidium spp.; and Taeniidae, in particular Taenia pisiformis, Taenia cervi, Taenia ovis, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia multiceps, Taenia taeniaeformis, Taenia serialis and Echinococcus spp., particularly preferably Taenia hydatigena, Taenia ovis, Taenia multiceps, Taenia serialis; Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis, and Multiceps multiceps.

In a very particularly preferred way, Taenia hydatigena, T. pisformis, T. ovis, T. taeniae-formis, Multiceps multiceps, Joyeuxiella pasquali, Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides spp., Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are controlled simultaneously with Dirofilaria immitis, Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp. and/or Trichuris vulpis on or in dogs and cats. Also in a preferred way, Ctenocephalides fells and/or C. canis are controlled simultaneously with the abovementioned nematodes and cestodes.

The compounds of the formula I are also suitable for controlling parasites which are pathogenic to man, among which may be mentioned, as typical representatives occurring in the digestive tract, those of the genera Ancylostoma, Necator, Ascaris, Strongyloides, Trichinella, Capillaria, Trichuris and Enterobius. The compounds of the present invention are also active against parasites of the genera Wuchereria, Brugia, Onchocerca and Loa from the family of the Filariidae, which occur in the blood, in tissue and in various organs, and also against Dracunculus and parasites of the genera Strongyloides and Trichinella, which specifically infect the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, the compounds of the formula I are also active against harmful fungi which cause disease in plants and in man and animals.

The good pesticidal action of the compounds of the formula I according to the invention corresponds to a kill rate (mortality) of at least 50-60% of the pests mentioned. In particular, the compounds of the formula I are characterized by an extraordinarily long duration of action.

The compounds of the formula I are used as such or preferably together with the auxiliaries conventional in formulation technology and can accordingly be processed in a known way, for example to emulsifiable concentrates, directly dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, soluble powders, granules and also encapsulations in polymer substances. The application methods as well as the compositions are chosen in accordance with the intended aims and the prevailing circumstances.

The formulation, i.e. the compositions, preparations or combinations comprising the active ingredient of the formula I, or combinations of these active ingredients with other active ingredients, and, if desired, a solid or liquid additive, is prepared in a known way, for example by intimately mixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with extenders, for example with solvents, solid carriers and, if desired, surface-active compounds (surfactants).

The following are possible as solvents: alcohols, such as ethanol, propanol or butanol, and glycols, and their ethers and esters, such as propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol ether, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether or ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ketones, such as cyclohexanone, isophorone or diacetone alcohol, strongly polar solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide or water, vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil, castor oil, coconut oil or soybean oil; and, if desired, silicone oils.

Preferred application forms for use in warm-blooded animals for controlling helminths include solutions, emulsions, suspensions (drenches), feed additives, powders, tablets, including effervescent tablets, boluses, capsules, microencapsulations and pour-on formulations, care having to be taken over the physiological compatibility of the formulation auxiliaries.

Suitable binders for tablets and boluses are chemically modified polymeric natural products which are soluble in water or alcohol, such as starch, cellulose or protein derivatives (e.g., methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, ethylhydroxyethylcellulose, proteins, such as zein, gelatin, and the like), and synthetic polymers, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and the like. Tablets also comprise fillers (e.g., starch, microcrystalline cellulose, sugar, lactose, and the like), lubricants and disintegrating agents.

If the anthelmintic compositions are present in the form of feed concentrates, then high-performance feed, feed cereals or protein concentrates, for example, are used as carriers. Such feed concentrates or compositions can, in addition to the active ingredients, also comprise additives, vitamins, antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, or other pesticides, mainly bacteriostats, fungistats, coccidiostats, or also hormone preparations, anabolics or substances which promote growth, influence the quality of meat from animals for slaughter or are useful to the organism in another way. If the compositions or the active ingredients of the formula I present therein are added directly to the feed or to the drinking water for the animals, the finished feed or the finished drinking water comprises the active ingredients preferably in a concentration from approximately 0.0005 to 0.02% by weight (5-200 ppm).

The compounds of the formula I according to the invention can be used alone or in combination with other biocides. They can, e.g., be combined with pesticides possessing the same direction of action, in order to enhance the action, or can be combined with substances possessing another direction of action, in order to broaden the activity spectrum. It may also make sense to add substances which repel, known as repellents. If it is desired to expand the activity spectrum with regard to endoparasites, for example worms, the compounds of the formula I are appropriately combined with substances having endoparasiticidal properties. They can also, naturally, be used in combination with antibacterial compositions. Since the compounds of the formula I represent adulticides, i.e. since they are effective in particular against the adult stages of the target parasites, the addition of pesticides which are more likely to attack the Juvenile stages of parasites can be highly advantageous. In this way, most of those parasites causing great economic damage are namely included. In addition, a substantial contribution is also made as well to avoiding the formation of resistance. Some combinations can also lead to synergistic effects, i.e. that the total amount of active substance consumed can be reduced, which is desirable from an ecological viewpoint Preferred groups of combination participants and particularly preferred combination participants are mentioned subsequently, which combinations can, in addition to a compound of the formula I, comprise one or more of these participants.

Suitable participants in the mixture include biocides, for example the insecticides and acaricides with different mechanisms of action mentioned subsequently and sufficiently known to a person skilled in the art, for example chitin synthesis inhibitors, growth regulators; active ingredients which act as juvenile hormones; active ingredients which act as adulticides; broad spectrum insecticides, broad spectrum acaricides and nematicides; but also the sufficiently known anthelmintics and substances which repel insects and/or members of the Acarina, known as repellents or detachers.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable insecticides and acaricides are:

1. Abamectin 2. AC 303 630 3. Acephate 4. Acrinathrin 5. Alanycarb 6. Aldicarb 7. α-Cypermethrin 8. Alphamethrin 9. Amitraz 10. Avermectin B₁ 11. AZ 60541 12. Azinphos E 13. Azinphos M 14. Azocyclotin 15. Bacillus subtil. toxin 16. Bendiocarb 17. Benfuracarb 18. Bensultap 19. β-Cyfluthrin 20. Bifenthrin 21. BPMC 22. Brofenprox 23. Bromophos E 24. Bufencarb 25. Buprofezin 26. Butocarboxim 27. Butylpyridaben 28. Cadusafos 29. Carbaryl 30. Carbofuran 31. Carbophenothion 32. Cartap 33. Cloethocarb 34. Chlorethoxyfos 35. Chlorfenapyr 36. Chlorfluazuron 37. Chlormephos 38. Chlorpyrifos 39. Cis-Resmethrin 40. Clocythrin 41. Clofentezine 42. Cyanophos 43. Cycloprothrin 44. Cyfluthrin 45. Cyhexatin 46. D 2341 47. Deltamethrin 48. Demeton M 49. Demeton S 50. Demeton-S-methyl 51. Dichlofenthion 52. Dicliphos 53. Diethion 54. Diflubenzuron 55. Dimethoate 56. Dimethylvinphos 57. Dioxathion 58. DPX-MP062 59. Edifenphos 60. Emamectin 61. Endosulfan 62. Esfenvalerate 63. Ethiofencarb 64. Ethion 65. Ethofenprox 66. Ethoprophos 67. Etrimfos 68. Fenamiphos 69. Fenazaquin 70. Fenbutatin oxide 71. Fenitrothion 72. Fenobucarb 73. Fenothiocarb 74. Fenoxycarb 75. Fenpropathrin 76. Fenpyrad 77. Fenpyroximate 78. Fenthion 79. Fenvalerate 80. Fipronil 81. Fluazinam 82. Fluazuron 83. Flucycloxuron 84. Flucythrinate 85. Flufenoxuron 86. Flufenprox 87. Fonofos 88. Formothion 89. Fosthiazate 90. Fubfenprox 91. HCH 92. Heptenophos 93. Hexaflumuron 94. Hexythiazox 95. Hydroprene 96. Imidacloprid 97. Insect-active fungi 98. Insect-active nematodes 99. Insect-active viruses 100. Iprobenfos 101. Isofenphos 102. Isoprocarb 103. Isoxathion 104. Ivermectin 105. λ-Cyhalothrin 106. Lufenuron 107. Malathion 108. Mecarbam 109. Mesulfenfos 110. Metaldehyde 111. Methamidophos 112. Methiocarb 113. Methomyl 114. Methoprene 115. Metolcarb 116. Mevinphos 117. Milbemectin 118. Moxidectin 119. Naled 120. NC 184 121. NI-25, Acetamiprid 122. Nitenpyram 123. Omethoate 124. Oxamyl 125. Oxydemeton M 126. Oxydeprofos 127. Parathion 128. Parathion-methyl 129. Permethrin 130. Phenthoate 131. Phorate 132. Phosalone 133. Phosmet 134. Phoxim 135. Pirimicarb 136. Pirimiphos E 137. Pirimiphos M 138. Promecarb 139. Propaphos 140. Propoxur 141. Prothiofos 142. Prothoate 143. Pyrachlofos 144. Pyradaphenthion 145. Pyresmethrin 146. Pyrethrum 147. Pyridaben 148. Pyrimidifen 149. Pyriproxyfen 150. RH-5992 151. RH-2485 152. Salithion 153. Sebufos 154. Silafluofen 155. Spinosad 156. Sulfotep 157. Sulprofos 158. Tebufenozide 159. Tebufenpyrad 160. Tebupirimfos 161. Teflubenzuron 162. Tefluthrin 163. Temephos 164. Terbam 165. Terbufos 166. Tetrachlorvinphos 167. Thiafenox 168. Thiodicarb 169. Thiofanox 170. Thionazin 171. Thuringiensin 172. Tralomethrin 173. Triarathene 174. Triazamate 175. Triazophos 176. Triazuron 177. Trichlorfon 178. Triflumuron 179. Trimethacarb 180. Vamidothion 181. XMC (3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate) 182. Xylylcarb 183. Yl 5301/5302 184. ζ-Cypermethrin 185. Zetamethrin

Nonlimiting examples of suitable anthelmintics are mentioned subsequently, in which some representatives, in addition to the anthelmintic activity, also have an insecticidal and acaricidal activity and are already included in the above list:

-   (A1)     Praziquantel=2-Cyclohexylcarbonyl-4-oxo-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-α]isoquinoline -   (A2)     Closantel=3,5-Diiodo-N-[5-chloro-2-methyl-4-(α-cyano-4-chlorobenzyl)phenyl]-salicylamide -   (A3)     Triclabendazole=5-Chloro-6-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylthio-1H-benzimidazole -   (A4)     Levamisole=L-(−)-2,3,5,6-Tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole -   (A5) Mebendazole=Methyl 5-benzoyl-1H benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate -   (A6) Omphalotin=a macrocyclic fermentation product from the fungus     Omphalotus olearius disclosed in WO 97/20857 -   (A7) Abamectin=Avermectin B1 -   (A8) Ivermectin=22,23-Dihydroavermectin B1 -   (A9) Moxidectin=5-O-Demethyl-28-deoxy     25-(1,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl)-6,28-epoxy-23 -(methoxyimino)milbemycin     B -   (A10)     Doramectin=25-Cyclohexyl-5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-methylpropyl)avermectin     A1a -   (A11) Milbemectin=Mixture of Milbemycin A3 and Milbemycin A4 -   (A12) Milbemycin oxime=5-Oxime of Mibemectin

Nonlimiting examples of suitable repelling substances (repellents or detachers) are:

-   (R1) DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide) -   (R2) KBR 3023 N-Butyl-2-oxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine -   (R3)     Cymiazole=N-2,3-Dihydro-3-methyl-1,3-thiazol-2-ylidene-2,4-xylidine

The participants in the mixture which are mentioned are very well known to a person skilled in the art Most are described in the various editions of The Pesticide Manual, The British Crop Protection Council, London, others in the various editions of The Merck Index, Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, or in the patent literature. The following listing is accordingly restricted to a few references by way of examples.

-   (I) 2-Methyl-2-(methylthio)propionaldehyde O-methylcarbamoyloxime     (Aldicarb), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 26; -   (II) S-(3,4-Dihydro-4-oxobenzo[d][1,2,3]triazin-3-ylmethyl)     O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate (Azinphos-methyl), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 67; -   (III) Ethyl     N-[2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yloxycarbonyl(methyl)aminothio]N-isopropyl-β-alaninate     (Benfuracarb), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 96; -   (IV) 2-Methylbiphenyl-3-ylmethyl     (Z)-(1RS)-cis-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Bifenthrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 118; -   (V) 2-tert-Butylimino-3-isopropyl-5-phenyl-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one     (Buprofezin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 157; -   (VI) 2,3-Dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate     (Carbofuran), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 186; -   (VII)     2,3-Dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl(dibutylamlnothio)methylcarbamate     (Carbosulfan), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 188; -   (VIII) S,S′-(2-Dimethylaminotrimethylene)bis(thiocarbamate)     (Cartap), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British     Crop Protection Council, London, page 193; -   (IX)     1-[3,5-Dichloro-4-(3-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyloxy)phenyl]-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea     (Chlorfluazuron), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 213; -   (X) O,O-Diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate     (Chlorpyrifos), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 235; -   (XI)     (RS)-α-Cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl(1RS,3RS;1RS,3RS)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Cyfluthrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 293; -   (XII) Mixture of (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl     (Z)-(1R,3R)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     and (R)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl     (Z)-(1S,3S)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Lambda-Cyhalothrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 300; -   (XIII) Racemate consisting of     (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl(1R,3R)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     and     (R)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl(1S,3S)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Alpha-cypermethrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 308; -   (XIV) A mixture of the stereoisomers of     (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl(1RS,3RS,1RS,3RS)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (zeta-Cypermethrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 314; -   (XV)     (S)-α-Cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl(1R,3R)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Deltamethrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 344; -   (XVI) 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea     (Diflubenzuron), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 395; -   (XVII)     (1,4,5,6,7,7-Hexachloro-8,9,10-trinorborn-5-en-2,3-ylenebismethylene)sulfite     (Endosulfan), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 459; -   (XVIII) α-Ethylthio-o-tolyl methylcarbamate (Ethiofencarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 479; -   (XIX) O,O-Dimethyl O-4-nitro-m-tolyl phosphorothioate     (Fenitrothion), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 514; -   (XX) 2-sec-Butylphenyl methylcarbamate (Fenobucarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 516; -   (XXI) (RS)-α-Cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl     (RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate (Fenvalerate), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 539; -   (XXII) S-[Formyl(methyl)carbamoylmethyl]O,O dimethyl     phosphorodithioate (Formothion), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)     Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 625; -   (XXIII) 4-Methylthio-3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate (Methiocarb), from     The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 813; -   (XXIV) 7-Chlorobicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-2,6-yl dimethyl phosphate     (Heptenophos), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 670; -   (XXV)     1-(6-Chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine     (Imidacloprid), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 706; -   (XXVI) 2-Isopropylphenyl methylcarbamate (Isoprocarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 729; -   (XXVII) O,S-Dimethyl phosphoramidothioate (Methamidophos), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 808; -   (XXVIII) S-Methyl N-(methylcarbamoyloxy)thioacetimidate (Methomyl),     from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 815; -   (XXIX) Methyl 3-(dimethoxyphosphinoyloxy)but-2-enoate (Mevinphos),     from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 844; -   (XXX) O,O-Diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (Parathion), from     The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 926; -   (XXXI) O,O-Dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate     (Parathion-methyl), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 928; -   (XXXII) S-6-Chloro-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1,3-benzoxazol-3-ylmethyl     O,O-diethyl phosphorodithloate (Phosalone), from The Pesticide     Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council,     London, page 963; -   (XXXIII) 2-Dimethylamino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl     dimethylcarbamate (Pirimicarb), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)     Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 985; -   (XXXIV) 2-Isopropoxyphenyl methylcarbamate (Propoxur), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 1036; -   (XXXV)     1-(3,5-Dichloro-2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea     (Teflubenzuron), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1158; -   (XXXVI) S-tert-Butylthlomethyl O,O-diethyl phosphorodithloate     (Terbufos), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1165; -   (XXXVII)     Ethyl(3-tert-butyl-1-dimethylcarbamoyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylthio)acetate     (Triazamate), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1224; -   (XXXVIII) Abamectin, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 3; -   (XXXIX) 2-sec-Butylphenyl methylcarbamate (Fenobucarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 516; -   (XL) N-tert-Butyl-N-(4-ethylbenzoyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzohydrazide     (Tebufenozide), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1147; -   (XLI)     (±)-5-Amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole-3-carbonitrile     (Fipronil), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 545; -   (XLII)     (RS)-α-Cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl(1RS,3RS;1RS,3SR-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (beta-Cyfluthrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 295; -   (XLIII)     (4-Ethoxyphenyl)[(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)propyl](dimethyl)silane     (Silafluofen), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1105; -   (XLIV) tert-Butyl     (E)-α-(1,3-dimethyl-5-phenoxypyrazol-4-ylmethyleneamino-oxy)-p-toluate     (Fenpyroximate), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 530; -   (XLV)     2-tert-Butyl-5-(4-tert-butylbenzylthio)-4-chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one     (Pyridaben), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1161; -   (XLVI) 4-[[4-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)phenyl]ethoxy]quinazoline     (Fenazaquin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 507; -   (XLVII) 4-Phenoxyphenyl (RS)-2-(2-pyridyloxy)propyl ether     (Pyriproxyfen), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1073; -   (XLVIII)     5-Chloro-N-(2-[4-(2-ethoxyethyl)-2,3-dimethylphenoxy]ethyl)-6-ethylpyrimidin-4-amine     (Pyrimidifen), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1070; -   (XLIX)     (E)-N-(6-Chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-Methyl-N-methyl-2-nitrovinylidenediamine     (Nitenpyram), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 880; -   (L)     (E)-N¹-[(6-Chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-N²-cyano-N¹-methylacetamidine     (NI-25, Acetamiprid), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 9; -   (LI) Avermectin B₁, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 3; -   (LII) An insect-active extract from a plant, in particular     (2R,6aS,12aS)-1,2,6,6a,12,12a-hexahydro-2-isopropenyl-8,9-dimethoxychromeno[3,4-b]furo[2,3-h]chromen-6-one     (Rotenone), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1097; and an extract     from Azadirachta indica, in particular azadirachtin, from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 59; -   (LIII) A preparation comprising insect-active nematodes, preferably     Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis megidis, from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 671; Steinernema feltiae, from The Pesticide     Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council,     London, page 1115, and Steinernema scapterisci, from The Pesticide     Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council,     London, page 1116; -   (LIV) A preparation obtainable from Bacillus subtilis, from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 72; or from a Bacillus thuringiensis strain     except for compounds isolated from GC91 or from NCTC11821; The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 73; -   (LV) A preparation comprising insect-active fungi, preferably     Verticillium lecanii, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1266; Beauveria     brogniartii, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 85; and Beauveria     bassiana, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British     Crop Protection Council, London, page 83; -   (LVI) A preparation comprising insect-active viruses, preferably     Neodipridon Sertifer NPV, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed.     (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1342;     Mamestra brassicae NPV, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed.     (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 759; and     Cydia pomonelia granulosis virus, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)     Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 291; -   (CLXXXI) Methyl     7-chloro-2,3,4a,5-tetrahydro-2-[methoxycarbonyl(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)carbamoyl]indol[1,2-e]oxazoline     4a-carboxylate (DPX-MP 062, indoxacarb), from The Pesticide Manual,     11^(th) Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London,     page 453; -   (CLXXXII)     N′-tert-Butyl-N′-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-3-methoxy-2-methylbenzohydrazide     (RH-2485, Methoxyfenozide), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed.     (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1094; -   (CLXXXIII) Isopropyl N′-[4-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl]hydrazinecarboxylate     (D 2341), from Brighton Crop Protection Conference, 1996, 487493;     and -   (R2) Book of Abstracts, 212th ACS National Meeting, Orlando, Fla.,     Aug. 25-29 (1996), AGRO-020. Publisher American Chemical Society,     Washington, D.C. CONEN: 63BFAF.

According to what has been said above, a further essential aspect of the present invention relates to combination preparations for the control of parasites in warm-blooded animals, which comprise, in addition to a compound of the formula I, at least one further active ingredient with an identical or different direction of action and at least one physiologically compatible carrier. The present invention is not restricted to combinations of two.

The anthelmintic compositions according to the invention generally comprise 0.1 to 99% by weight, in particular 0.1 to 95% by weight, of active ingredient of the formula I or mixtures thereof, and 99.9 to 1% by weight, in particular 99.8 to 5% by weight, of a solid or liquid additive, including 0 to 25% by weight, in particular 0.1 to 25% by weight, of a surfactant. The compositions according to the invention can be applied topically, perorally, parenterally or subcutaneously to the animals to be treated, the compositions being present in the form of solutions, emulsions, suspensions (drenches), powders, tablets, boluses, capsules and as pour-on formulations.

The pour-on or spot-on method consists in applying the compound of the formula I to a locally restricted part of the skin or fur, advantageously on the neck or back of the animal. This is carried out, e.g., by applying a spot or dash of the pourn-on or spot-on formulation to a relatively small area of the fur, from where the active substance spreads out virtually unaided over wide regions of the fur because of the spreading components of the formulation and supported by the movements of the animal.

It is advantageous for pour-on or spot-on formulations to comprise carriers which promote speedy distribution on the surface of the skin or in the fur of the host animal and which are generally described as spreading oils. Suitable carriers are, e.g., oily solutions; alcoholic and isopropanolic solutions, for example solutions of 2-octyldodecanol or oleyl alcohol; solutions in esters of monocarboxylic acids, such as isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, lauric acid oxal ester, oleyl oleate, decyl oleate, hexyl laurate, capric acid esters of saturated fatty alcohols with a chain length of C₁₂-C₁₈; solutions of esters of dicarboxylic acids, such as dibutyl phthalate, diisopropyl isophthalate, diisopropyl adipate or di(n-butyl) adipate, or also solutions of esters of aliphatic acids, e.g. glycols. It can be advantageous if a dispersant known from the pharmaceutical or cosmetics industry is additionally present. Examples are 2-pyrrolidone, 2-(N-alkyl)pyrrolidone, acetone, polyethylene glycol and ethers and esters thereof, propylene glycol or synthetic triglycerides.

The oily solutions include, e.g., vegetable oils, such as olive oil, groundnut oil, sesame oil, pine oil, linseed oil or castor oil. The vegetable oils can also be present in epoxidized form. Paraffin oils and silicone oils can also be used.

In general, a pour-on or spot-on formulation comprises 1 to 20% by weight of a compound of the formula I, 0.1 to 50% by weight of dispersant and 45 to 98.9% by weight of solvent.

The pour-on or spot-on method can be used particularly advantageously with gregarious animals, such as cattle, horses, sheep or pigs, where it is difficult or time-consuming to treat all the animals orally or via injection. Because of its simplicity, this method can naturally also be used with all other animals, including individual domestic animals or pets, and is very popular with animal owners because it can often be implemented without the expert assistance of a veterinary surgeon.

While concentrated compositions are more preferred as commercially available products, the end user generally uses dilute compositions.

Such compositions can comprise yet further additives, such as stabilizers, antifoaming agents, viscosity regulators, binders, deposit builders and other active ingredients to obtain specific effects.

Such anthelmintic compositions used by the end user likewise form part of the present invention.

In each of the methods according to the invention for controlling pests or of the pesticides according to the invention, the active ingredients of the formula I can be used in all their steric configurations or mixtures thereof.

The invention also includes a method for the prophylactic protection of warm-blooded animals, in particular of productive livestock, domestic animals and pets, against parasitic helminths, which comprises applying the active ingredients of the formula I or the active ingredient formulations prepared therefrom as a feed additive or drinking water additive or also in the solid or liquid form, orally, by injection or parenterally, to the animals. The invention also includes the compounds of the formula I according to the invention for use in one of the methods mentioned.

The following examples serve merely to illustrate the invention, without limiting it, the term “active ingredient” representing a substance listed in Table 1.

Preferred formulations are in particular composed in the following way:

-   (%=percent by weight)

FORMULATION EXAMPLES

1. Granules a) b) Active ingredient  5% 10% Kaolin 94% — Highly dispersed silica  1% — Attapulgite — 90%

The active ingredient is dissolved in methylene chloride and sprayed onto the carrier, and the solvent is subsequently evaporated under reduced pressure. Such granules can be added to the animal feed.

2. Granules Active Ingredient 3% Polyethylene glycol (MW 200) 3% Kaolin 94% (MW = molecular weight)

The finely milled active ingredient is applied evenly in a mixer to the kaolin, which has been moistened with polyethylene glycol. In this way, dust-free coated granules are obtained.

3. Tablets or Boluses  I Active ingredient 33.00% Methylcellulose 0.80% Highly dispersed silica 0.80% Maize starch 8.40% II Cryst. lactose 22.50% Maize starch 17.00% Microcryst. cellulose 16.50% Magnesium stearate 1.00%

-   -   I Methylcellulose is stirred into water. After the material has         swollen, silica is stirred in and the mixture is homogeneously         suspended. Active ingredient and maize starch are mixed. The         aqueous suspension is incorporated in this mixture and kneaded         to a dough. The substance thus obtained is granulated through a         12 M sieve and dried.     -   II All 4 auxiliaries are intimately mixed.     -   III The premixes obtained according to I and II are mixed and         pressed to give tablets or boluses.

A. Oily vehicle (slow release) 1. Active ingredient 0.1-1.0 g Groundnut oil ad 100 ml 2. Active ingredient 0.1-1.0 g Sesame oil ad 100 ml

Preparation: The active ingredient is dissolved in a portion of the oil with stirring and, if desired, gentle heating, made up to the required volume after cooling and sterilely filtered through a suitable membrane filter with a size of 0.22 μm.

B. Water-miscible solvent (medium release rate) 1. Active ingredient 0.1-1.0 g 4-Hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane (glycerol 40 g formal) 1,2-Propanediol ad 100 ml 2. Active ingredient 0.1-1.0 g Glycerol dimethyl acetal 40 g 1,2-Propanediol ad 100 ml

Preparation: The active ingredient is dissolved in a portion of the solvent with stirring, made up to the required volume and sterilely filtered through a suitable membrane filter with a size of 0.22 μm.

C. Aqueous solubilisate (rapid release) 1. Active ingredient 0.1-1.0 g Polyethoxylated castor oil (40 ethylene oxide 10 g units) 1,2-Propanediol 20 g Benzyl alcohol 1 g Water for injections ad 100 ml 2. Active ingredient 0.1-1.0 g Polyethoxylated sorbitan monooleate 8 g (20 ethylene oxide units) 4-Hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane (glycerol 20 g formal) Benzyl alcohol 1 g Water for injections ad 100 ml

Preparation: The active ingredient is dissolved in the solvents and the surfactant and made up to the required volume with water. Sterile filtration is carried out through a suitable membrane filter with a pore diameter of 0.22 μm.

5. Pour-on A. Active ingredient 5 g Isopropyl myristate 10 g Isopropanol ad 100 ml B. Active Ingredient 2 g Hexyl laurate 5 g Triglycerides of medium chain length 15 g Ethanol ad 100 ml C. Active ingredient 2 g Oleyl oleate 5 g N-Methylpyrrolidone 40 g Isopropanol ad 100 ml

The aqueous systems can preferably also be used for oral and/or intraruminal administration.

The compositions can also comprise further additives, such as stabilizers, e.g. epoxidized or nonepoxidized vegetable oils (epoxidized coconut oil, rapeseed oil or soybean oil), antifoaming agents, e.g. silicone oil, preservatives, viscosity regulators, binders, deposit builders and fertilizers or other active ingredients to obtain specific effects.

Further biologically active substances or additives which are neutral towards the compounds of the formula I and have no adverse effect on the host animal to be treated, and mineral salts or vitamins, can also be added to the compositions described.

The following examples serve to clarify the invention. They do not limit the invention. The symbol ‘h’ denotes hour.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Example 1 N-[2-Cyano-1-(4,5-difluoro-2-(thien-3-yl)phenoxy)-2-propyl]-4-trifluoromethoxybenzamide

a) 2.5 g of chloroacetone, 3 g of potassium carbonate and 0.3 g of potassium iodide are added to 4 g of 2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenol in 40 ml of acetone and stirred at ambient temperature for 3 h.

After filtration, the solution is evaporated, producing 1-(2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenoxy)propan-2-one as crude product, which is processed further without further purification.

b) 5.1 g of 1-(2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenoxy)propan-2-one, 1.1 g of sodium cyanide and 1.5 g of ammonium chloride are added to 19 ml of a 25% aqueous ammonia solution and stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture is then extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase is washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution and dried with magnesium sulfate. After filtering and evaporating under vacuum, 2-amino-3-(2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionitrile is obtained as crude product, which is processed further without further purification.

c) A mixture of 300 mg of 2-amino-3-(2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionitrile, 129 mg of ethyldiisopropylamine, 270 mg of 4-trifluoromethoxybenzoyl chloride and 12 mg of 4-dimethylaminopyridine is stirred in 10 ml of dichloromethane at ambient temperature for 12 h. The reaction mixture is subsequently diluted by addition of ethyl acetate and washed, each time twice, with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, a 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and finally with saturated sodium chloride solution, the organic phase, after filtration, is evaporated and the residue is purified by means of flash chromatography, through which N-[2-cyano-1-(2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenoxy)-2-propyl]-4-trifluoromethoxybenzamide is obtained.

d) 120 mg of N-[2-cyano-1-(2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenoxy)-2-propyl]-4-trifluoromethoxybenzamide, 160 mg of thiophene-3-boronic acid and 3 ml of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution are dissolved in 4 ml of toluene and degassed for 15 minutes using a stream of nitrogen. Subsequently, 9 mg of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium are added and the mixture is stirred at reflux for 20 h. The mixture is subsequently diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution. The organic phase is dried with magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. After purifying by means of HPLC, the title compound is obtained with a melting point of 128-30° C.

The substances mentioned in the following table can also be prepared analogously to the procedure described above. The melting point values are given in ° C.

TABLE 1

No. (R₈)_(m) R₉ (R₁₀)_(n) Physical data 1.1 4-F 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-F 1.2 4-F 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.3 4-F 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.4 4-F 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-F 1.5 4-F 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.6 4-F 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.7 4-F 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.8 4-F 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.9 4-F 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.10 4-F 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.11 4-F 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.12 4-F 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.13 4-F 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.14 4-F 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.15 4-F 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.16 4-F 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.17 4-F 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.18 4-F 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.19 4-F 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.20 4-F 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.21 4-F 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.22 4-F 2-(2-Furyl) 4-F 1.23 4-F 2-(2-Furyl) 4-CF₃ 1.24 4-F 2-(2-Furyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.25 4-F 2-(3-Furyl) 4-F 1.26 4-F 2-(3-Furyl) 4-CF₃ 1.27 4-F 2-(3-Furyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.28 4-F 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-F 1.29 4-F 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-CF₃ 1.30 4-F 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.31 4-F 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-F 1.32 4-F 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-CF₃ 1.33 4-F 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.34 4-F 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-F 1.35 4-F 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-CF₃ 1.36 4-F 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.37 4-F 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-F 1.38 4-F 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-CF₃ 1.39 4-F 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.40 4-F 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-F 1.41 4-F 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.42 4-F 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.43 5-Cl 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-F 1.44 5-Cl 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.45 5-Cl 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.46 5-Cl 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-F 1.47 5-Cl 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.48 5-Cl 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.49 5-Cl 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.50 5-Cl 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.51 5-Cl 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.52 5-Cl 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.53 5-Cl 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.54 5-Cl 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.55 5-Cl 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.56 5-Cl 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.57 5-Cl 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.58 5-Cl 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.59 5-Cl 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.60 5-Cl 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.61 5-Cl 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.62 5-Cl 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.63 5-Cl 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.64 5-Cl 2-(2-Furyl) 4-F 1.65 5-Cl 2-(2-Furyl) 4-CF₃ 1.66 5-Cl 2-(2-Furyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.67 5-Cl 2-(3-Furyl) 4-F 1.68 5-Cl 2-(3-Furyl) 4-CF₃ 1.69 5-Cl 2-(3-Furyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.70 5-Cl 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-F 1.71 5-Cl 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-CF₃ 1.72 5-Cl 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.73 5-Cl 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-F 1.74 5-Cl 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-CF₃ 1.75 5-Cl 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.76 5-Cl 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-F 1.77 5-Cl 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-CF₃ 1.78 5-Cl 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.79 5-Cl 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-F 1.80 5-Cl 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-CF₃ 1.81 5-Cl 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.82 5-Cl 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-F 1.83 5-Cl 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.84 5-Cl 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.85 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-F 1.86 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.87 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 131-2° 1.88 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-F 1.89 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.90 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 128-30° 1.91 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.92 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.93 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.94 4,5-F₂ 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.95 4,5-F₂ 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.96 4,5-F₂ 2-(4-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 136-8° 1.97 4,5-F₂ 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.98 4,5-F₂ 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.99 4,5-F₂ 2-(5-Methyl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.100 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.101 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.102 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.103 4,5-F₂ 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-F 1.104 4,5-F₂ 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.105 4,5-F₂ 2-(5-Cl-2-thienyl) 4-OCF₃ 1.106 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Furyl) 4-F 1.107 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Furyl) 4-CF₃ 1.108 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Furyl) 4-OCF₃ 134-5° 1.109 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Furyl) 4-F 1.110 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Furyl) 4-CF₃ 1.111 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Furyl) 4-OCF₃ 60-3° 1.112 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-F 1.113 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-CF₃ 1.114 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Thienoxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.115 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-F 1.116 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-CF₃ 1.117 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Thienoxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.118 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-F 1.119 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-CF₃ 1.120 4,5-F₂ 2-(2-Furyloxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.121 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-F 1.122 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-CF₃ 1.123 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Furyloxy) 4-OCF₃ 1.124 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-F 1.125 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-CF₃ 1.126 4,5-F₂ 2-(3-Benzothienyl) 4-OCF₃ m.p. 121-2°

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

1. In vivo Test Against Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unquiculatus) by Peroral Administration

Six- to eight-week-old Mongolian gerbils are infected, using manufactured feed, with in each case approximately 2 000 larvae of the 3rd stage of T. colubriformis and H. contortus. Six days after infecting, the gerbils are lightly anaesthetized with N₂O and are treated by peroral administration with the test compounds, dissolved in a mixture of 2 parts of DMSO and 1 part of polyethylene glycol (PEG 300), with amounts of 100, 32 and 10-0.1 mg/kg. On day 9 (3 days after treating), when most of the H. contortus larvae still existing are in the late 4th stage and most of the T. colubriformis are immature adults, the gerbils are sacrificed in order to count the worms. The activity is calculated in % reduction in the number of worms in each gerbil by comparison with the geometric mean of the number of worms from 8 infected and untreated gerbils.

In this test, a large decrease in the nematode infestation is obtained with compounds of the formula I.

The following test methods can be employed in investigating the insecticidal and/or acaricidal action of the compounds of the formula I on animals and plants.

2. Action Against L₁ Larvae of Lucilia sericata

1 ml of an aqueous suspension of the active substance to be tested is thus mixed at approximately 50° C. with 3 ml of a special medium for raising larvae, so that a homogenate with an active ingredient content of either 250 or 125 ppm is formed. Approximately 30 Lucilia larvae (L₁) are introduced into each test tube sample. After 4 days, the mortality rate is determined.

3. Acaricidal Action Against Boophilus Microplus (Biarra Strain)

An adhesive tape is attached horizontally to a PVC plate such that 10 female Boophilus microplus ticks (Biarra strain) which have sucked themselves full of blood can be adhesively attached to the tape via their backs in a row, next to one another. Each tick is injected, using an injection needle, with 1 μl of a liquid which is a 1:1 mixture of polyethylene glycol and acetone and in which a certain amount of active ingredient of alternatively 1, 0.1 or 0.01 μg per tick is dissolved. Control animals receive an injection not comprising an active ingredient. After the treatment, the animals are kept in an insectarium under standard conditions at approximately 28° C. and 80% relative humidity until egg laying has occurred and the larvae have hatched from the eggs of the control animals. The activity of a test substance is determined using the IR₉₀, i.e. that dose of active ingredient is ascertained at which, after 30 days, 9 out of 10 female ticks (=90%) lay eggs which are not able to hatch.

4. In vitro Activity Against Fed Boophilus Microplus Females (Biarra):

4×10 fed female ticks of the OP-resistant Biarra strain are attached to an adhesive tape and are covered for 1 h with a wad of cotton which has been impregnated with an emulsion or suspension of the test compound in concentrations in each case of 500, 125, 31 and 8 ppm. The mortality, egg laying and larval hatching are evaluated 28 days later.

An indication of the activity of the test compounds is the number of the females which

-   -   quickly die, before laying eggs,     -   survive for some time, without laying eggs,     -   lay eggs in which no embryos develop,     -   lay eggs in which embryos develop but from which no larvae         hatch, and     -   lay eggs in which embryos develop and from which larvae hatch         normally in 26 to 27 days.         5. In vitro Activity Against Nymphs of Amblyomma hebraeum

About 5 hungry nymphs are placed in a polystyrene test tube comprising 2 ml of the test compound in solution, suspension or emulsion.

After immersing for 10 minutes and shaking for 2×10 seconds on a vortex mixer, the test tubes are plugged with a thick wad of cotton wool and are inverted. As soon as all the liquid has been soaked up by the wad of cotton, the wad is pushed halfway into the still inverted test tube, so that most of the liquid is squeezed out of the wad of cotton and flows into a petri dish placed underneath.

The test tubes are now, until evaluation, stored at ambient temperature in a room lit by daylight. After 14 days, the test tubes are immersed in a beaker of boiling water. If, in reaction to the heat, the ticks begin to move, the test substance is inactive at the test concentration; otherwise, the ticks are considered to be dead and the test substance is considered to be active at the test concentration. All substances are tested in a concentration range from 0.1 to 100 ppm.

6. Action Against Dermanyssus Gallinae

2 to 3 ml of a solution comprising 10 ppm of active ingredient and approximately 200 mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) at various development stages are placed in a glass vessel open at the top. The vessel is subsequently plugged with a wad of cotton, shaken for 10 minutes, until the mites have been completely wetted, and then briefly inverted, so that the remaining test solution can be absorbed by the cotton wool. After 3 days, the mortality of the mites is ascertained by counting the dead individuals and is given in percent.

7. Action Against Musca Domestica

A sugar cube is treated with a solution of the test substance such that the concentration of test substance in the sugar, after drying overnight, is 250 ppm. This treated cube is placed with a wet wad of cotton and 10 adult Musca domestica of an OP-resistant strain on an aluminium dish, is covered with a beaker and is incubated at 25° C. The mortality rate is determined after 24 hours. 

1. A compound of the formula A compound of formula I

in which A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylamino; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylcarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylmethoxyimino; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylhydroxymethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted 1-phenyl-1-hydroxyethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylchloromethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylcyanomethyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylacetylenyl; and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl, s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl or quinolyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkoxy, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₂-C₆alkenylthio, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylthio, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfinyl, C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, halo-C₂-C₆alkenylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, allyl or C₁-C₆alkoxymethyl; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are either, independently of one another, hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₆alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₂-C₆alkenyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₂-C₆alkynyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₆alkoxy, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₆alkoxy and halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₆alkyl; or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino and di-C₁-C₆alkylamino; or R₂ and R₃ are jointly C₂-C₆alkylene; W is O, S, S(O)₂ or N(R₇); X is O, S or N(R₇); R₇ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; a is 1,2, 3 or 4; b is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; and c is 0 or
 1. 2. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim l, in which A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylamino; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylcarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl; or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can be independent of one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl.
 3. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂, independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-C₅cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can be independent of one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-C₅cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl.
 4. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂, independently of one another, are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl, and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl, C₃-C₄cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₄cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino, di-C₁-C₂alkylamino, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl.
 5. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl, s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl or oxadiazolyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl.
 6. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl, s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl or pyrrolyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₅alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl.
 7. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted thienyl or furanyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino, di-C₁-C₂alkylamino, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl.
 8. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkoxymethyl.
 9. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₂alkyl or halo-C₁-C₂alkyl.
 10. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which R₁ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂alkyl.
 11. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₄alkoxy; C₃-C₅cycloalkyl or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy and halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy.
 12. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₂alkoxy; or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl.
 13. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C₁-C₂alkyl or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl.
 14. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which W is O or S.
 15. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which W is O.
 16. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which X is O or S.
 17. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which X is O.
 18. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which a is 1, 2 or
 3. 19. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which a is 1 or
 2. 20. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which a is
 1. 21. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which c is
 0. 22. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-C₆alkenyloxy. C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylamino; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenylcarbonyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl; or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₆cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl; A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl, s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiadiazolyl or oxadiazolyl, which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆alkyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₆alkylthio, C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆alkylamino, di-C₁-C₆alkylamino, C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₆alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl and di-C₁-C₆alkylaminocarbonyl; R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkoxymethyl; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen, halogen, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₄alkoxy; C₃-C₅cycloalkyl or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy and halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy; W is O or S; X is O or S; a is 1, 2 or 3; b is 0, 1 or 2; and c is
 0. 23. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl; unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenoxy; and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyridyloxy, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-C₅cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; or unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted hetaryl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂ can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₃-C₅cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₅cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted pyrimidyl, s-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, thienyl, furanyl or pyrrolyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₄alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₅alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₅alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-C₁-C₄alkylamino, C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₄alkoxycarbonyl; R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₂alkyl or halo-C₁-C₂alkyl; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted C₁-C₄alkyl, in which the substituents can be independent of one another and are chosen from the group consisting of halogen and C₁-C₂alkoxy; or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl; W and X are O; a is 1 or 2; b is 0 or 1; and c is
 0. 24. A compound of the formula I, in each case in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1, in which A₁ and A₂ are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted aryl, in which the substituents of A₁ and A₂, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₄alkyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₃-C₅cycloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl and unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted phenyl, in which the substituents in each case can be independent of one another and are selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl, C₃-C₄cycloalkyloxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkylamino, C₃-C₄cycloalkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino, di-C₁-C₂alkylamino, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl; A₃ is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted thienyl or furanyl which is bonded via a ring carbon atom, in which the substituents in each case, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, C₁-C₂alkyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂alkoxy, halo-C₁-C₂alkoxy, C₃-C₄cycloalkyl, C₁-C₂alkylthio, halo-C₁-C₂alkylthio, C₁-C₂alkylamino, di-C₁-C₂alkylamino, C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl, halo-C₁-C₂alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₂alkoxycarbonyl; R₁ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂alkyl; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C₁-C₂alkyl or C₃-C₅cycloalkyl; W and X are O; a is 1; and b and c are
 0. 25. A compound of the formula I, in the free form or in the salt form, according to claim 1 with the name N-[2-cyano-1-(4,5-difluoro-2-thien-3-ylphenoxy)-2-propyl]-4-trifluoromethoxybenzamide. 